Experimental rules designed to limit stalling tactics approved

Wrestling

Experimental rules designed to limit stalling tactics approved

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Wednesday approved four experimental rules in wrestling, including two that will be exclusively used at the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic Nov. 1 at Pennsylvania.

The first experimental rule that will be implemented for the 2014-15 season focuses on a wrestler who is in an offensive position and locks or holds an opponent’s leg or legs and does not breakdown the opponent, execute an offensive move or work back up to the upper body for five seconds. That offensive wrestler will be called for stalling.

The referee’s count on the call will be both verbal and visual.

The other experimental rule regarding stalling will take place when an offensive wrestler applies a side headlock to the defensive wrestler and does not breakdown the opponent and/or execute an offensive move in five seconds. In that instance, the offensive wrestler will be called for stalling. Again, the referee’s count will be both verbal and visual.

Both of the approved experimental rules are designed to promote offensive wrestling by limiting stalling tactics or a way to position oneself in a stalemate situation.

National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic

The panel also approved two experimental rules that will be implemented only at the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Nov. 1.

The first rule focuses on wrestlers who are in a neutral standing position and not actively engaged in an offensive attack, or a defensive counter to an offensive attack, while their feet are out of bounds. In that situation, the referee will call stalling.

This rule is designed to keep the wrestling action in the center of the mat and away from the out-of-bounds line.

The rule is not intended to be a “push out” rule. A wrestler not engaged in an offensive attack or a defensive counter to an offensive attack who is only attempting to push or pull the opponent out of bounds will be called for stalling.

The second experimental rule to be used at the NWCA All-Star Classic focuses on wrestlers who gain the offensive position by being awarded a takedown or reversal. In those cases those competitors may, after a wrestling stoppage, choose to resume wrestling in a neutral position without an escape point being awarded to his opponent.

Currently, a wrestler choosing a neutral position would give up a point to an opponent.